FIFA and UEFA issued contrasting reports about the feasibility of a biennial World Cup on Friday. FIFA revealed that a survey showed that the response was a positive one in case the workload of the players would not increase. The majority of the negative results were seen in Europe with only 48% in favor with England, Germany, and France having the largest disapproval rating. 76% of Africa, as well as 66% of Asia, are in favor of the biennial World Cup.
“In this dark sporting context, the research conducted by Oliver & Ohlbaum projects a deeply negative outlook for European national team football, should the FIFA plan be implemented,” UEFA said in a statement about FIFA World Cup plans. “Adding up the losses from centralized revenues (media rights of men’s European Qualifiers and Nations League; distributions from UEFA EURO) and from individual sources such as ticketing and sponsorships, revenues for European national associations might drop between €2.5 and €3 billion over a cycle of four years, depending on the number of qualifying windows available (two or just one).”
“Echoing the clear objections expressed by the European stakeholders on several occasions and the firm and motivated opposition announced by fans’ organizations, UEFA believes that radical changes should be proposed only if they result in clear and unquestionable benefits for the game and its actors.” the statement added. “The report claimed only 25% of fans in Europe thought a biennial World Cup was an improvement, while 40% said they would watch less knockout and group matches and 60% thought the World Cup’s prestige would drop.”
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